Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ike
BoyEnglish, Hebrew· “short for Isaac: he will laugh”
- Meaning
- short for Isaac: he will laugh
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- EYEK
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,460
- US babies 2025
- 55
- Best rank
- #184 (1884)
- Peak year
- 1953
Meaning and origin of Ike
Ike is an English and Hebrew name that means “short for Isaac: he will laugh”.
Ike is a short form of Isaac, the name of the son of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis, whose Hebrew name is usually explained as he will laugh. In the United States the nickname is inseparable from Dwight D. Eisenhower, the general and president whose campaign slogan was I Like Ike, though his nickname came from his surname rather than from Isaac. On its own, Ike is short, friendly and old-fashioned in a way that has started to feel fresh again, much like Gus or Abe. It is pronounced EYEK, with one syllable. Parents can give Isaac on the birth certificate and use Ike every day.
Popularity over time
Ike has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 74 different years. Its best national rank was #184 in 1884, and the most babies received it in 1953, when 111 were named Ike. In 2025, 55 babies were named Ike, and it ranked #2,460 nationally. That is 42% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #697 in 1920, #941 in 1950, #1,782 in 1980, #2,885 in 2000, #2,194 in 2010, and #2,460 in 2025. Of the 7,342 US boys named Ike since records began, 10% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 700 babies. Since 2010, 985 more have been named Ike.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Stanton, Stevan, Stanford, Dell, and Randle.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ike is usually pronounced EYEK, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with I and ends in “-ke”.
Middle names for Ike
A few middle names that flow with Ike: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ike
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Lists that include Ike
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ike mean?
Ike is an English and Hebrew name that means “short for Isaac: he will laugh”.
What is the origin of the name Ike?
Ike has English and Hebrew roots. Ike is a short form of Isaac, the name of the son of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis, whose Hebrew name is usually explained as he will laugh.
Is Ike a popular name?
Not especially. Ike ranked #2,460 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ike a boy or girl name?
Ike is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ike?
Ike is usually pronounced EYEK. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings